Many breeds of chickens are known for high egg yield, but not all of them lay tasty eggs. Only a few breeds of chickens have the potential to lay tasty and nutritional benefiting eggs, such as – Australorp, Rhode Island Red and Welsummer. Moreover, the taste of the egg is influenced by the diet and environment of the chicken and varies according to individual preferences.
So, let’s get to know about the breeds that are renowned for laying mouth-watering eggs.
Rhode Island Red Chicken
Rhode Island Red are known for their strength, strong muscular build and ability to adapt to different types of environments. These chickens have the ability to lay 200 to 300 eggs every year and start laying eggs from the age of 18 to 20 weeks. They start laying eggs from the age of 5 to 6 months and continue for a long time. They can even lay eggs during challenging conditions.
These birds are also bred for their meat. They are free runners and enjoy a wide yard. However, these birds are docile and gentle and need protection from predators. This breed is known for being an active forager and feeds on grubs, seeds and insects, which makes the eggs healthy and tasty.
Rhode Island Red are medium to large-sized chickens and which can be recognized by their rich mahogany-coloured feathers and bright red comb. These birds are known to adapt to different climates with ease and are quite friendly, so they make a perfect backyard chicken keeper.
These bird’s eggs are quite famous owing to their exceptional taste and flavor and they also have rich, deep orange yolk which is an indication of high nutrient content. When compared to other chickens, the yolk is creamier due to the fat content. The eggs are also preferred due to a balanced taste of sweet and savory, and this also makes any dish rich and adds depth.
Ameraucana Chicken
Ameraucana are medium-sized chickens which can be easily recognized from their pea comb muffs and feathered tufts. Their ears are also covered with feathers and the tufts, fluffy cheeks give them a distinct appearance. They are also quite charming and have a fluffy beard look.
They can lay 200 to 250 eggs on average in a year. The eggs appear to be vibrant blue or greenish and it is the result of a pigment called oocyanin, which imparts the stunning appearance of the eggshells.
These birds can be recognized in a wide variety of colors, starting from blue, and black to buff and white, adding a visual appeal. These birds are also quite popular among the poultry enthusiast, due to their temperament.
The eggs produced by these birds are rich, creamy and also have a nutty undertone. It can be added to any dish to enrich the taste and is highly favored by egg enthusiasts due to its high-quality implementation.
Sussex Chicken
Sussex chicken is also a popular breed and is medium to large-sized. They have a board, deep body and sturdy build. These chickens have dense feathers and come in different colors such as white, red and speckled. Sussex chickens lay eggs throughout the year and have an equal demand for the meat.
Sussex chickens can lay 200 to 250 eggs on an average which are light brown, and in a week, they lay 4 eggs. They start to lay eggs from the age of 8 months, which is quite late compared to other breeds. These birds are highly preferred for laying eggs all year round.
They are well adapted to both rural and urban settings and quite docile, finally making them a perfect fit for the backyard coop. They are easy to handle, calm and manageable in the backyard setting. They have great genetic characteristics and supported by a natural diet can result in exceptional-tasting eggs.
The eggs have a rich flavor and superior taste giving them a velvety texture. The yolk is deep yellow and firm. Thus, making them part of versatile culinary preparation. They can be part of savory or even baked dishes.
Marans Chicken
Marans chickens are also quite popular when it comes to appearance, egg color and personality. These birds have beautiful sleek feathers and can be found in different shades of mahogany. Marans Chicken are known to lay around 150 to 200 eggs on average in a year and every week they lay around 3 eggs. The eggs are chocolate brown shelled and are highly preferred by egg enthusiasts. The eggs are popular for their high nutritional value, which includes vitamins and protein.
The chickens can adapt to any kind of environment and being hardy is also suitable for different climates. They have a calm temperament, making them perfect for backyard chickens. And also being friendly can mix with other breeds of chickens easily.
The eggs have a rich creamy texture and can be added to different dishes to add depth. It also has a buttery taste which enhances the overall flavor and can also be added to savory dishes.
Australorp Chicken
Australorp are known to be strong and healthy chicken breeds that do not get affected due to the changing seasons easily, there are no special health considerations and this bird can lay the largest number of eggs in a year, about 364, where the average rate of laying eggs is one egg in a day.
They normally can lay around 250 to 300 eggs, but the quantity can be increased by taking extra care and attention. They love to forage and are quite active. Being curious birds, they are mostly seen wandering off or devouring small insects and worms. They need a high percentage of protein which is reflected in the eggs giving them a better taste and nutritional value.
Welsummer Chicken
Welsummer are known to be an intelligent breed of chickens and they are also quite friendly. These birds lay delicious eggs, which are dark brown due to the presence of a chemical on the shell called porphyrin.
Welsummer lays eggs which are heavy when compared to eggs produced by other chickens, about 2.3 to 3 ounces. However, they are seasonal layers and active only during the summer. On average, they produce 160 to 250 eggs in a year and the production greatly reduces during the winter.
The reason behind their tasty egg is linked to the genetics of this breed. They are incredible foragers and love to stay in free range to get resources, such as food. They also need care and attention, along with high nutrition so that you can get the best result.
Do Eggs Differ in Taste?
Yes, eggs differ in taste and defining a taste egg not only indicates how our taste buds react but also the nutritional content of these eggs. Taste and nutritional value go hand in hand, if the egg is highly nutritious, it would be good in taste as well.
What Factors Make an Egg Tasty?
To obtain tasty and high-quality eggs, the keeper must consider a few factors, such as –
Free Roaming
Allowing the chickens to move freely and run around in the open air to get enough sunlight, has a positive effect on the egg quality and taste. They must be allowed to forage to get unlimited and varied food items, and also provide them with a balanced diet. When chickens are allowed to roam freely, they obtain food of their choice, such as insects and worms, and it enables them to produce healthy eggs.
Cleanliness
The coop must be well-maintained and free from stress, such as diseases, intervention of predators, etc. Ensure that dirt does not accumulate in the drinker and clean them every alternative day. Keep a clean nesting box, and check regularly to reduce the chance of bacterial growth. Never allow the chicken to sleep in the nesting box, otherwise, it can get polluted due to their defecation. The coop should be well-ventilated and temperature regulated, during summer, it should be cool and warm during the winter.
Balanced Diet and Clean Water
When the chickens consume the xanthophyll from the yard, it contributes towards a rich and dark orange yolk. You have to monitor the quality of water and replace it from time to time to provide them with a clean fresh drinking supply. To improve digestion, you can provide them with oatmeal or eggshells which act as a great natural source of calcium.
Provide Natural Alternatives
Instead of giving over-the-counter durga or antibiotics, provide them with natural alternatives, to keep them healthy. You can add natural herbs to their food such as oregano, calendula, lavender, garlic and alfalfa, which are reasonable and also have a great impact on the health of the chicken.
Stress-free Environment
You have to provide the chicken with a calm environment, avoid overcrowding and also reduce disturbances. The chickens should be vaccinated and dewormed on the scheduled time to minimize the health related stressors.
How do Home-Grown Eggs Differ from Supermarket Eggs?
The homegrown eggs come from chickens who have varied and natural diets, which provide foraging opportunities and they are of diverse breed. These eggs are also rich in flavor Whereas the supermarket eggs come from chickens who are fed a commercially formulated diet and have limited access to foraging and also the breeds are most commercial. The eggs are not high in nutrient content or taste.
How Should You Store the Eggs?
The eggs should be refrigerated at less than 45 degree F and should be kept in cardon to avoid absorbing odor or risk of breaking. It should be handled with a clean hand to avoid contamination and it should not be washed before storing otherwise the natural protection would get whipped off, increasing the chance of bacterial attack. Always consume the egg before its expiry date.
